Welcome back to those of you who have been part of the

Selser School Community and welcome to our new students and families.

Just a few reminders that the front of our school is on a one way street. Please abide by the signs. Our children enter on the side of the school. It is easier if you drop your child off in this area behind the busses.

We have been working hard to establish a system for our buses to run smoothly. Please refrain from asking for your child to take another bus home to a friend’s home. Our buses are carrying enough children that we do not want to add more children to them.

The staff of Selser School has prepared this handbook to help your child to understand the exciting and challenging experiences he or she will have at Selser Memorial. We are exited to begin a new year working with both students and parents.

The school is organized to serve all the children, yet at the same time we are constantly seeking better ways to meet the needs of each individual youngster. The home and the school working together make an essential team for achieving this objective. Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please contact me at 413-594-3449. This year Selser will use Student Planners in grades 3,4,5. Please review and sign these each and every night. These books are tools to see what is happening in the classroom and to keep communication ongoing between home and school. We are beginning a new Program for Positive Behavior Reinforcement. Our Program will be called Soar to Success. Look for more information in upcoming notices and at open house.

We urge and desire your active cooperation and participation in this partnership and look forward to a most pleasant and profitable relationship. Welcome to a new school year.

Mrs. Lemieux / Principal

The district statement of our school is to actively engage students in the role of discovery through curriculum that will coordinate the Math, English, Language Arts with the Science Frameworks with the development of thinking processes to improve performance in testing situations and help create confidence and success as life long learners.

The staff and principal is committed to the following tenets:

Parental involvement and support in school and at home is fundamental to the success of the students. An active, involved, rigorous program encourages parent-student participation. School business partnerships, +college collaborative, community service, and volunteer programs are essential components to ensure the success of all students in our learning community.

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Children of school age who reside in the city will be entitled to attend the public School as will certain non-resident students according to Massachusetts General Laws. A student shall not be admitted to or connected with a school unless he/she complies with state law regarding vaccinations and immunizations.

Advance registration for prospective kindergarten students will take place in the spring. Every student seeking admission to school for the first time must present a birth certificate and equivalent proof of age to the principal or designee and proof of immunization as required by state law and district policy.

A student transferring into the district must provide the principal or designee with a complete school record of the entering student. Said record must include, but not be limited to, any incident involving suspension, violation of criminal acts or an incident report in which said student was charged with any suspended act.

When a student is expelled, no school or school district within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be required to admit such student or provide educational services to said student. If the said student does not apply for admission to another school or school district, the Superintendent of the school district to which the application is made may request and shall receive from the superintendent of the school district expelling the student, written statement of the reasons for said expulsion.

Lunch Room Schedule

1^st lunch 11:30-12:00 Grade 1 & 3

2^nd lunch 12:00-12:30 Grade 4 - 5

3^rd lunch 12:30-1:00 Grade K & 2

Lunch Program: Children may buy a lunch or bring one from home.

Milk may be purchased. We do not do lunch tickets. Lunches can be purchased daily, weekly, or monthly or yearly in the cafeteria before the start of school. A computer is used to keep track of the students’ names that purchase lunches.

Students may sit at any table (5 to a table) in their assigned row, as long as they behave. If students do not behave in an appropriate manner there is a designated table for them to be placed.

The price of lunch and milk is announced via school calendar each year.

ATTENDANCE AND DISMISSALS

Regular daily attendance is important to a child’s success in school. All students are expected to be in school daily. There are NO excused absences other than from a doctor.

All pupils are asked to bring a note from home if they are:

STUDENT DISMISSAL PRECAUTIONS

Each school is responsible for the safety of students during the school day. No child shall leave the school grounds at any time other than general dismissal except with written permission from a parent or guardian and the building Principal’s authorization. Elementary pupils shall not be released except in the care of a parent (who is known to be such) guardian, or other authorized person. Please do not dismiss the students early to avoid traffic. It’s important your child has closure to his /her day.

Children of estranged parents shall be released only upon written request of the parents or other individual who holds physical custody of the child who is the parent or guardian registered on the school record. Parents are responsible for advising the school where the child is attending of any restraining orders or court orders, which affect parental rights with respect to such students. A photograph of the person upon whom the restraining order is placed would be helpful.

Requests for early dismissal must be in writing and signed by a parent or legal guardian. Such requests shall be subject to the approval of the building Principal or other designated official.

The Chicopee School Committee staffs and directs the school health program. A registered nurse is available on a full-time basis as an advisor for the overall School Health Program for consultation and preventative health programs.

At the beginning of the year, Emergency Information Cards are distributed to each child. It is extremely important that the information on this card be filled out accurately and kept up to date. There must be a way of reaching parents, guardians, or alternates promptly, should an illness or accident occur. The cards ask for the name of a person to be notified in cases of emergency in the event that the parents cannot be reached. Please be sure that the persons you name are willing and able to serve in this capacity. Please also use local people. Please be sure the school has a working phone number, where a parent can be reached.

A report of a complete physical examination including an up-to-date record of immunizations is required for each child prior to entrance into school. Physical examinations performed within twelve months of the opening of school will meet the requirement. School children must have four complete physical examinations between kindergarten and twelfth grade. These examinations are required before beginning kindergarten and for seventh, and eleventh graders. A child transferred from another school system shall be examined as an entering child, unless school health records are transferred with the child showing that he/she has had an adequate health appraisal.

Since many children have physical examinations during the summer for attendance at summer school or camps, would you please ask your physician to complete a regulation school health record form at that time. They have the proper form in their office and upon parental request, will forward it to your child’s school directly when it is completed.

POLICY REGARDING DISPENSATION OF MEDICATION IN SCHOOL

As a rule, medication is not to be given in school. Medicine is treatment and as such is not part of the school health services. Medication usually can be scheduled around the length of the day that students are in school. In the exceptional case where medication is to be dispensed during the school day the following must be submitted to the school nurse.

Only an R.N. or L.P.N must dispense medication given on a daily basis as part of a student’s educational program, which is covered by M.G.L. Chapter 94C the Controlled Substances Act.

Additionally the school nurse will maintain an updated "students with disabilities" and an updated "daily" medication schedule and file this list with the Principal at the beginning of each school year. Information from this list is pertinent to each classroom teacher will also be supplied to them by the school nurse.

The medication shall be kept in the Clinic under lock and key and taken in the presence of:

The bottle of medicine shall be issued by a pharmacist and the label shall have the:

PRESCRIBING MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION DURING FIELD TRIPS

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY

The School Committee will provide parents with the opportunity to purchase accident insurance for students from kindergarten through grade 12.

Students who participate in interscholastic athletics not covered by the accident plan provided will receive additional accident insurance coverage, above and beyond the family insurance plan offered. The cost of this additional insurance will be born by the City of Chicopee

STUDENT POLICY ON PERSONAL APPEARANCE

Neatness, cleanliness and modesty in dress are standards that all students should strive for. Any student who does not meet these minimal standards will be subject to disciplinary action. All students must keep in mind the following requirements:

All students are expected to go outside for recess unless the weather prevails. On any day when the temperature exceeds 32 degrees and conditions are not stormy. Children should dress appropriately for outside activity (i.e. mittens, hats and boots). No child will be excused without a written medical reason.

For school attendance children must adequately immunized unless exempted for medical or religious reasons. EVIDENCE OF REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS MUST BE PRESENTED BEFORE ENTERING THE CHICOPEE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

If a pupil is sick or has an accident of sufficient seriousness to warrant it, the school will get in touch with the parents. It is the responsibility of the parents to take the child home and arrange for needed medical attention. The school will administer first aid only. Parents are asked to pick up their children in the Clinic. For your child’s sake, as well as for the sake of others, please keep your child home if he/she is not well.

Vision and hearing screening tests are given to every child in grades K-6 each year in the school. Recommendations resulting from these tests are submitted directly to the parents.

Postural Screening also known as screening for Spinal Curvature is now required by law yearly for children in grades five through nine. The examination is done by observing the student in various positions. It is vital to carry out the screening during the growth spurt years. Because these changes often develop slowly and without pain. Early detection and treatment, if needed, is an important preventative public health strategy. Parents of students who are found to need further evaluation by their own physician will be notified.

Students may participate in a weekly fluoride rinse program.

SCHOOL- HOME RELATIONSHIPS

If you wish other professionals to evaluate your child, (i.e. speech, guidance) contact teachers, guidance counselors, Team Chairpersons or Principal. The process to initiate such services will be explained to you.

We encourage you to support the Selser Support Group. Membership is $2.00 per year. Meeting for the PTO will be held the second Wednesday of each month at 6 P. M. beginning October in the Selser Cafeteria

SNOW DAYS / EARLY DISMISSAL

In case of extremely bad weather, school may be closed for the day or delayed an hour. Announcements are made over radio station WHYN and TV. Stations channel 22 and 40 starting at 6:00 A.M. Please do not call the school. If schools are closed early because of inclement weather, it will be announced over the radio and television stations.

LOST AND FOUND

All items are kept in a storage box in the cafeteria. Parents are urged to visit the school to claim lost articles. It is recommended that name labels be placed on sweaters, jackets, and other items for easier return. The school accepts no responsibility for items not claimed by the last day of school.

DISCIPLINE

One of the most important lessons your school should teach is discipline. While discipline does not appear as a subject, it underlies the whole educational structure. It is the learning that develops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. It is the key for proper consideration for other people.

An understanding of the necessity for rules and their enforcement will develop positive attitudes towards discipline. By accepting this responsibility you will help make your school an effective place of learning. Practicing self-restraint will contribute to maturity.

Disciplinary Options (any one or more of the following):

6. External suspension

Misbehavior whose frequency or seriousness tends to disrupt the learning climate of the school may be punished by the following:

OUR STUDENTS AT SELSER SCHOOL SHOULD BE SOARING TO SUCCESS!

TRANSPORTATION

The Chicopee Public Schools are deeply concerned with the safe journey to and from school for all pupils. (see bus safety rules)

Children should not be dropped off at school before 8:15 a.m. Children should be dropped off or picked up in front of the school. This will leave the school bus area for the arrival and departure of buses.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR STUDENTS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL

The School Committee is responsible for the bus transportation of students, within certain mileage limitations set out in its policy. In lieu, thereof, for those students who walk to and from school, the District provides crossing guards for students and initial supervision in the areas of the school building within fifteen (15) minutes before the school, day and fifteen (15) minutes after dismissal.

Parents are responsible for students who arrive more than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the school day, or who leave school grounds after dismissal, or remain on school grounds fifteen (15) minutes following dismissal. Supervision will not be provided beyond those limitations, unless the student is authorized to remain on school grounds for a school-related reason.

If it is determined by the building principal, after two (2) occasions of a student arriving more than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the school day or remaining on school grounds after the fifteen (15) minute dismissal period, that adequate arrangements have not been made for transportation of the student by the parent, the parent will be notified, in writing, that the student will either a.) be directed onto the appropriate bus if a bus student, or, b.) be directed off school premises and the parent will be responsible for providing supervision beyond that time.

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Selser School offers many student and parent-student activities during the school year Open House, Bingo for Books, Spaghetti Supper, Parenting Classes, Parent Education Nights (Math or Science), and Fun Night for parents and students are just a few.

Many cultural performances are presented to our students with the help of the Chicopee Cultural Council to expand out student’s interests.

These activities are done by the Selser Staff to provide extra help for our students. Dates to be announced.

MCAS Prep-Reading

MCAS Prep-Math

Other programs will be added as the year progresses based upon interest and budgeting constraints.

These are distributed on a monthly basis via your child.

First Report Cards will be distributed to parents at Parent Teacher Conferences the week of December 6, 2007

Report Cards will be distributed 3 times , Fall, Winter and Spring

Report cards are to be signed by the parent/guardian and returned ASAP to the teacher. If you wish an additional copy please request one from the office.

The School Council is a team, which consist of parents, teachers, the Principal, and Committee Representatives. The participants are elected at the end of September. The meetings are held monthly to discuss school-related issues and help formulate a School Improvement Plan. Elections for School Council will be held all day Wednesday, October 9, 2007. The two parents receiving the highest number of votes will serve two-year terms.

The library is available to the children during the regular classroom visits as scheduled by the classroom teacher for the purpose of borrowing books and research. It is also available to individuals at unscheduled times for special projects or research at the discretion of the library/media Technician

Lost or damaged books are paid for by the student at replacement cost. We encourage children to take advantage of the library.

The school telephone is to be used only for school business or in emergency situations. (Phone Number 594-3449)

Dibels assessments are administered to all grades in the beginning, middle and end of the school year. Adequate Yearly Progress Test will be administered to all students 3 times a year to determine students’ progress in Math.

It is the belief of the Chicopee Public Schools that homework is a vital and integral part of a student’s total school experience and is to be encouraged and supported by teachers, parents, and administrators.

Homework will:

6. Develop a sense of self-esteem

Homework may serve either as a classroom follow-up or as an enrichment experience. It is to be considered an extension of the daily classroom activities. Homework will be either in written or study form.

Homework is not to be considered busy work and is not to be used as punishment.

Homework will begin no later than October 1^st and continue until at least May 31^st.

Special Services- In order to help your child achieve his or her highest potential, numerous ancillary services are available. Services, which are available, include Speech and Language Therapy Counseling. Fine and Gross Motor Remediation and Academic Tutoring. We feel that it is important to meet each child’s individual needs during the elementary school years. This helps to ensure that all children have a smooth transition through the elementary school years. Any concerns regarding their child’s individual needs.

HAVE A GREAT YEAR

CUT ALONG LINE AND RETURN TO SCHOOL

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TO HOMEROOM, THANK YOU

I HAVE READ THE HANDBOOK.

Parent or Guardian ----------------------------------------------------

Student ---------------------------------- Rm. # ---------

  Selser Homepage